Lone Wolf
CEN/The Orchard, 2024
9/10
The guitar rocker Hannah Fairlight delivers a career high with this 4th album that covers a wide spectrum of sounds and styles that brings to mind legends like Patti Smith, Jack White and Jenny Lewis.
“Fever” opens the listen with firm guitar and thumping drums, as the rock-girl anthem unfolds with grit and melody, and “Sum Ppl R Jerx” follows with a scrappy garage rock appeal that’s also quite harmonic amid the mesmerizing guitar.
Entering the middle, “Just Feel Better” is a calmer moment that surrounds depression with much warmth and intimacy, while “Emotional Men” benefits much from Paul Simmons’ agile drums and Billy Mercer’s throbbing bass that suits the talking versus singing formula.
Arriving close to the end, “Apologetic Me” recruits some surf-rock nods, where nostalgia enters the powerful delivery, and the title track showcases Fairlight’s expressive pipes and raw guitar that are met with mature keys and moving vocals.
Fairlight possesses the spirit of Joan Jett or Kathleen Hanna, and each track here commands attention for both its upfront demeanor and eloquent nature.
Travels well with: Marina Rocks- Texcentric; Mare Wakefield & Nomad- No Remedy